Best Year Yet for Bluegrass for Hospice

This year’s Bluegrass for Hospice in October, hosted at Bubby Knott’s Flat Iron Farm in Great Mills, raised $38,298.91.

In the eight years the bluegrass concert has been in existence, 2016 was the best yet, said Jay Armsworthy, Bluegrass for Hospice event coordinator and promoter. The event has raised $192,000 in total.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, around 450 attendees enjoyed live bluegrass music at the farm on Flat Iron Road.

In spite of the family emergencies and the cancellation of the original scheduled headline act, which was TLC Televisions Network’s The Willis Clan, the show went on with no complaints of the replacement entertainment, Armsworthy said.

“Featured on “America’s Got Talent,” the Mountain Faith Band came through and entertained the more contemporary crowd while The Larry Stephenson Band was there to entertain the more traditional folks,” Armsworthy said.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you who attended and all of the kind words that were given about the event. Maybe you purchased a raffle ticket, bought a silent auction item, or purchased a vendor space at the Bluegrass for Hospice; it all went to a worthy cause and was appreciated,” he said.

Money raffle winners were Alan Hunter and Joy Potter.

Mr. Armsworthy thanked the many volunteers who contributed their time to help make the event run smooth and successful as well as the sponsors and businesses in St. Mary’s County who generously donated items for the silent auction and door prizes.

“It’s great to see how the community of St. Mary’s County comes together with generosity,” he said.  “I hope I don’t forget you, but please forgive me if I do.  Your name may be overlooked, but please remember your work and participation was appreciated.”

Behind-the-scenes’ folks included the Amish/Mennonite community for their handcrafted items; Johnny Armsworthy, Denise and Michael Bragg, Max McConnell, and Tina Williams for collecting door prizes and silent auction items; Barbara Robinson for making phone calls; and Chesapeake Wholesale.

Troy Jones provided sound for the event. “I don’t know what I’d do without him,” Mr. Armsworthy said.

Other contributors were the Third District Optimist Kruzin Kafe’; Bubby Knott providing the Flat Iron Farm every year, not to mention Mickey who does all the work getting the facility ready; McCormick Spice Co. for donating a spice basket; and Old Line Bank.

Special thanks went to The Printing Press, Jesse, and Kerry for their continued support and dedication to the event; to Sheetz in Great Mills; and Ed Vogt of the Eastern Shore for donating the small wagon that was filled with various bluegrass items, and a life-sized John Deere wagon.

“Now to the many volunteers who were running around all day selling, overseeing, or just being there to do whatever was needed,” Mr. Armsworthy said. “You may feel that you didn’t do much, but believe me, you were a big help.”

Thanks went out to Barbara Anderson, Lorraine Armsworthy, Jim and Martha Bailey, Jan Barnes, Tony and Cindy Beakes, Joe and Denise Bragg, Michael Bragg, Synda Buckmaster, Nina Campbell, Jeni Carrico, Tara Dooley, Nga Nguyen-Felton, Pam Ferris, Suzanne Henderson, Mikul Holder, Muriel Homesack, Diane Hoyns, Debbie Johnson, Terry Larus, Eve Love, Debra Morgan, Charles Nickless, Elisa Norris, John Potts, Vince and Pat Roche, Jack and Peggy Tippett, Randy Whiten, Janice Woehrer, and Michelle Armsworthy.

The local talent included Recycled Bluegrass, Bluegrass Gospel Express, Bubby Abell & Spoon Creek, and 15 Strings.

This year’s event was held in memory of Charlie Thompson and Jay Russell. Jay was a big supporter of Bluegrass for Hospice and would always show up early willing to lend a hand with anything that was needed. Charlie was a longtime bluegrass musician and friend to many.  “He never turned down the opportunity to play for the Bluegrass for Hospice. He is missed, not only by me, but many in the Southern Maryland bluegrass community. I’d like to thank his brother, Ronnie Thompson, as well as Guy Herbert, Jerry Weaverling, Billy Thompson, and Stu Geisbert who joined me on stage for a nice tribute and reunion of Charlie’s Bottom County Bluegrass Band to close out this year’s Bluegrass for Hospice,” Mr. Armsworthy said.

Helping Hands Food Pantry appreciated the “amazing amount” of food that was collected.

Sponsors who supported Bluegrass For Hospice-2016 were Great Mills Trading Post, Karen Garner, Realtor Jan Barnes of Century 21 New Millennium, John Felicitas and Christine Wray, Old Line Bank, along with Salsa’s Mexican Café, Associated Insurance Centers, FGS, ABC Liquors & Lounge, Chiefs, W.M. Davis, Bob Taylor Engineering, Chick-fil-A, St. Mary’s County Arts Council, The County Times, Southern Maryland Women’s Magazine, and the Holiday Inn Express in California, MD.

Also thanks to Joan and Stanley Williams, Three Mules Welding Supply’s, TDE Incorporated, A&T Enterprises, Luke Morgan, DDS & Associates, John R. Bean Construction & Home Improvement~N~Stuff, Dorsey Law Firm, Quality Built Homes, Guy Distributing Co, IAMAW William W. Winpisinger Education Center, Dean Lumber Co., Wildwood Medical Care and Dr. John Scott Tidball, Friends of Tony O’Donnell, Virginia Lee Baines, Fitzgerald Auto Mall (Park Dodge Chrysler Jeep), along with Bell Boys Bus Service, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, Hancock Refrigeration Co., Vidsec Systems, Cather Marine, Take-It-Easy Campground, Anne and Ernie Bell, Lil Margaret’s Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, Thomas & Son Transport, J.F. Taylor,  Community Bank of the Chesapeake, Kieyos, Parrans Flooring Center, Patuxent Dental, C&C Plumbing & Septic, Aloft Solutions, St. Mary’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Tom Hodges Auto Sales, Tire, & Service Center, and Dyson Building Center.

For more information about Great Mills Trading Post, visit their Leaders Member Page.